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| Section The ICRC in Iraq
©ICRC/iq-e-00699/O. Saad
An ICRC technician working in Al Wethba pumping station, near Baghdad.
While there are improvements in the security situation, armed violence, including bomb attacks and military operations continue to kill a large number of civilians in Iraq.
Despite the efforts of the Iraqi authorities to provide basic services, the humanitarian situation remains worrying and access to essential services such as clean water and adequate health care is still limited. The ICRC continues to help displaced persons and residents, to provide hospitals with medical supplies and equipment and to support vital water infrastructure, health facilities and physical rehabilitation centres. Visiting people detained by the Iraqi government, the US/Multinational Force in Iraq and the Kurdistan regional authorities remains a top priority for the ICRC, as does the restoration and maintaining of links between members of families separated by years of armed conflict.  Key document19-6-2009 Iraq: ICRC activities in May 2009Dozens of civilians are still losing their lives on a daily basis in parts of Iraq. During the month of May, the ICRC continued to respond to the emergency needs of the population. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Operational update 5-3-2009 Iraq: women in warThe ICRC's Iraq delegation has produced a newsletter containing testimonies from Iraqi women facing the effects of conflict and explaining how the ICRC is helping them to cope. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Field newsletter Includes PDF 3-12-2008 Iraq: ICRC activities in behalf of Iranian nationals living in AshrafFor years the ICRC has been following the situation of the Iranians living in Ashraf, about 80 km north of Baghdad, who are currently under the protection of the US and Iraqi authorities. There has been a lot of discussion about what will happen to these people and which laws govern their situation, and about the ICRC's role. Juan-Pedro Schaerer, the ICRC’s head of delegation in Iraq, explains. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Interview Includes Photo 29-10-2008 The bare necessities: how the ICRC is making a difference in IraqJuan-Pedro Schaerer, the ICRC's head of delegation for Iraq, talks about the growing need for essential services in the country. He explains the challenges that the ICRC faces, especially the difficulty of reaching those most in need, and how the organization has been providing uninterrupted emergency assistance by constantly adapting its way of working to the changing security constraints. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Interview Includes Photo Feature28-10-2008 Iraq: defying danger to offer civilians help and hope With the outbreak of war in Iraq in 2003, life became an uphill struggle for many people. Four Iraqi ICRC staff tell us about their work in this very challenging environment, their motivation, daily life and ordeals. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Feature Includes Photo 16-10-2008 Twenty years after the end of the Iran-Iraq war, tens of thousands of combatants still unaccounted forOn 16 October the governments of Iran and Iraq, together with the ICRC, signed a memorandum of understanding that represents an important step towards easing the heavy burden of tens of thousands of bereaved Iraqi and Iranian families. The document establishes a clear framework for collecting information and sharing it between the two countries, and for handing over mortal remains. These tasks will be performed jointly by experts from both countries with ICRC support. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa) Feature Includes Photo 26-2-2008 Iraq: Latifa visits her son, detained at Camp BuccaAs well as visiting people held by international forces in Iraq, the ICRC makes it possible for families to come to see their loved ones. Each time is a special moment for Latifa, the grandma from Mossul. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Feature Includes Photo Field newsletter13-3-2009 ICRC activities in Iraq in 2008Overview of the main ICRC activities in Iraq during 2008: visits to people deprived of their freedom, restoring family links, clarifying the fate of missing persons, supporting hospitals, water and habitat projects, physical rehabilitation activities, relief assistance, promotion of international humanitarian law and support to the Iraqi Red Crescent Society (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Field newsletter Includes PDF International Review of the Red Cross17-6-2008 Special issue : Conflict in Iraq The war in Iraq presents challenges to all those involved in it, including humanitarian actors. In this issue of the Review, various authors look at the socio-political and humanitarian environment in Iraq today and assess the impact of the conflict on humanitarian law and humanitarian action. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) International Review of the Red Cross 31-3-2008 International humanitarian law and its implementation in IraqDespite the fact that four years have elapsed since the end of the major combat operations, completion of the requirements for national sovereignty in accordance with the various resolutions of the Security Council has not been achieved. The author explains the different rules which were and are applicable to the situation in Iraq and presents the current humanitarian problems from the perspective of international humanitarian law. (Info resources\International Review\2008 - No. 869) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF 31-3-2008 A neutral, impartial and independent approach: key to ICRC's acceptance in IraqThe article describes the context of the ICRC’s operations in Iraq. The many serious attacks and continuing threats to the ICRC delegates, led to a low-visibility presence and required a new modus operandi in which a real presence on the ground was backed up by remote control mechanisms for assistance activities in the most insecure areas. The authors argue that despite inherent security risks, there is room for independent, neutral and impartial humanitarian action in Iraq. (Info resources\International Review\2008 - No. 869) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF 31-12-2007 Humanitarian implications of the wars in IraqThe current situation in Iraq could be described as a "war on civilians". Going beyond the direct victims of the conflict, this article deals with the daily problems faced by Iraqi society, such as the lack of security in terms of housing, education and health care. The forcible eviction of many Iraqis is, however, remains the main problem threatening the basic cohesion of Iraqi society. (Info resources\International Review\2007 - No. 868) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF 30-6-2006 The Iraqi High Criminal Court: controversy and contributions This article explores in detail the legal basis for the formation of the High Criminal Court under the law of occupation. It addresses the relationship between the Iraqi model of prosecuting crimes in domestic fora incorporating international law and the alternative model of transferring jurisdiction to an international forum. (Info resources\International Review\2006 - No. 862) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF Interview29-10-2008 Iraq: urgent need to safeguard life-saving medical actionDr Chris Giannou is a senior ICRC surgeon and has just arrived back from Iraq, where he has been running a seminar on war surgery. He spoke to us about the challenges facing both victims and medical staff and explains why training medical staff will remain a priority, along with support to emergency services and the renovation of health infrastructure. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Interview Includes Photo 14-3-2008 Baghdad, March 2003 – A delegate's accountRoland Huguenin was ICRC spokesman in Baghdad in March 2003. He remembers the fear of ordinary Iraqis about the imminent military offensive, the bombings, the suffering endured by the capital's population, and the frustrated hopes. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Interview Includes Photo 25-2-2008 Iraq: dire state of health system must take priorityAfter years of sanctions and recurrent wars, and more significantly since 2003, the Iraqi health system has steadily deteriorated. Pascal Olle, the ICRC's health programme coordinator for Iraq, explains the state of the health system and what the current needs are. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Interview Includes Photo Legal article31-12-2004 International Humanitarian Law in the Iraq ConflictThe armed hostilities in Iraq throughout the last almost two years have raised numerous questions from the perspective of international humanitarian law. This article aims at addressing some of them. The focus will be on identifying the applicable law throughout the various stages of the hostilities and various problems that entail its practical application. (Humanitarian law\Conduct of hostilities) Legal article Official Statement17-4-2007 Iraq: civilians bear the brunt of violence Address by Angelo Gnaedinger, ICRC Director-General at the International Conference on Addressing the Humanitarian Needs of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in Iraq and in Neighbouring Countries, Geneva, 17-18 April, 2007 (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Official Statement Operational update12-5-2009 Iraq: ICRC activities in April 2009The ICRC remained concerned about indiscriminate attacks as civilian lives continued to be claimed in incidents in Baghdad, Ninewa, Mosul, North Diyala, Anbar and Kirkuk. It provided support for emergency medical care and maintained a range of activities benefiting the civilian population. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Operational update Includes Photo 29-4-2009 Iraq: ICRC activities in February and March 2009After a few months of relative calm, a new wave of bloody violence claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians in Iraq over the past two months, especially in March. The ICRC has been responding to some of the country's most urgent needs. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Operational update 11-3-2009 Iraq: ICRC activities in January 2009January 2009 brought relative calm in Iraq despite fears that provincial elections might cause the security situation to deteriorate. Violent incidents did occur, however, mainly in Mosul and Kirkuk and in the Qandil area. Even with improvements in the security situation, basic services such as water, electricity and medical care still cannot meet the needs of the population. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Operational update Includes Photo 19-2-2009 Iraq: ICRC activities in November and December 2008In December 2008, the security situation in Iraq was still improving. Nevertheless, tensions continued in some governorates such as Baghdad, Diyala and Ninawa. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Operational update 17-11-2008 Iraq: ICRC activities in October 2008The security situation having improved in Iraq recently, more people have access to health services and clean water. However too many Iraqis are still compelled to drink contaminated water and live in unhygienic conditions. Water, sanitation and health care remain the ICRC’s primary concerns in the country. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Operational update Includes Photo 29-10-2008 What the ICRC is doing in IraqIraq 2008 - Key facts and figures (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Operational update Includes Map 16-10-2008 Iraq: ICRC activities in September 2008After a period of relative improvement in the overall security situation, the month of Ramadan was marked by an increase in violence in Baghdad, Mosul and other major cities and life remained difficult for most of the Iraqi population. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Operational update Includes Photo 1-10-2008 Iraq: ICRC activities in August 2008Fighting continues to affect people in many parts of the country despite an overall improvement of the general security situation. Bomb explosions still inflict high numbers of casualties amongst civilians. The month of August has been no exception, with several explosions and attacks, mainly in the Diyala and Baghdad governorates, which killed dozens of civilians and injured many more. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Operational update Includes Photo 5-6-2008 ICRC activities in Iraq in May 2008Many Iraqis are continuing to suffer as a result of the outbreak of fighting that has affected parts of the country in recent months. Whereas the inhabitants of Mosul are slowly getting back to normal life after months of armed violence, in other regions the situation remains tense. The lack of an adequate infrastructure to ensure the provision of sufficient clean water and access to medical care continues to have severe consequences for the population. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Operational update Includes Photo Photo Collection20-12-2006 Iraq: the humanitarian efforts of the Iraqi Red Crescent These photos show just some examples of the work carried out by staff and volunteers of the Iraqi Red Crescent on behalf of Iraqis caught up in the conflict and violence that has affected the country over the past few years. (Info resources\Photos\Middle East and North Africa) Photo Collection Includes Photo Press article23-12-2008 Desperate times for IraqisMore than five years after the outbreak of the war in Iraq, the humanitarian situation in much of the country remains critical. Despite the improving security situation, living conditions continue to decline, leaving millions on the brink of despair. Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 3, 2008 (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Press article 2-1-2008 Haunted guests: Iraqis seek refuge with their neighbours In the largest population movement in the Middle East since 1948, a huge influx of Iraqis is putting pressure on services in Jordan and Syria. How are their Red Crescent Societies responding to the needs? Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 3, 2007 (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Press article Includes Photo 19-5-2004 Protecting life and dignity: "No war is above international law"Jakob Kellenberger, ICRC president, says the organization condemns indiscriminate terrorist attacks unreservedly, but insists that the response to them must remain within the framework of the law. Article published in the Financial Times (UK) on 19 May 2004 and reproduced here with the FT's kind permission. (Humanitarian law\Reaffirmation and development) Press article Press briefing8-5-2004 Iraq: ICRC explains position over detention report and treatment of prisonersIntroductory statement and summary of main points made by the ICRC's director of operations, Pierre Krähenbühl, at a press conference at the organization's headquarters, 7 May 2004, following the publication by the Wall Street Journal of excerpts of an ICRC report. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Press briefing Includes Photo Report15-3-2008 Iraq: no let-up in the humanitarian crisisFive years after the outbreak of the war in Iraq, the humanitarian situation in most of the country remains among the most critical in the world. Because of the conflict, millions of Iraqis have insufficient access to clean water, sanitation and health care. The current crisis is exacerbated by the lasting effects of previous armed conflicts and years of economic sanctions. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Report Includes PDF, Photo 11-4-2007 Iraq: civilians without protectionThe ever-worsening humanitarian crisis in Iraq (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Report Includes PDF More in this section5-8-2004 Iraq post 28 June 2004: protecting persons deprived of freedom remains a priorityIn view of the continuing hostilities in Iraq, the protection of persons deprived of freedom remains one of the ICRC's priorities. The ICRC's main objective is to visit all persons detained in connection with the hostilities in order to monitor whether their treatment, their conditions of detention and the judicial guarantees accorded correspond to the requirements of applicable law. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) 30-7-2003 Nadisha: "Not a victim of war – a victim of murder"Nadisha Yasassri Ranmuthu (37), an ICRC IT technician was murdered on 22 July in an attack on his vehicle just north of the town of Hilla in Iraq. His Iraqi driver, Mazen Hamed Rashid, was seriously wounded. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Includes Photo 16-4-2003 Caught in the cross-fire: Baghdad, 8 April 2003 Vatche Arslanian (47), the ICRC’s logistics coordinator in Iraq, was killed on 8 April when his vehicle was caught in cross-fire in Baghdad. Tributes were paid to him by relatives, colleagues and friends at a memorial ceremony in Geneva on 15 April. (The ICRC worldwide\Middle East and North Africa\Iraq) Other site23-2-2005 Monitoring IHL in IraqLink to the site of the International Humanitarian Law Research Initiative (Info resources\Other sites\Institutes and universities) Other site |
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